Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

supper

noun sup·per \ ˈsə-pər \
|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Definition of supper

1 a : the evening meal especially when dinner is taken at midday
b : a social affair featuring a supper; especially : an evening social especially for raising funds
  • a church supper
2 : the food served as a supper
  • eat your supper
3 : a light meal served late in the evening

See supper defined for English-language learners

See supper defined for kids

Examples of supper in a Sentence

  1. I always enjoyed our Sunday night suppers.

  2. It's almost time for supper.

  3. We took a walk after supper.

  4. I had too much wine at supper.

  5. He didn't come home for supper.

Recent Examples of supper from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'supper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of supper

Middle English soper, from Anglo-French super, from super to sup — more at sup

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

SUPPER Defined for English Language Learners

supper

noun

Definition of supper for English Language Learners

  • : the evening meal

  • : a social event especially for raising money that takes place in the evening and includes a meal

  • : a light meal or snack that is eaten late in the evening

SUPPER Defined for Kids

supper

noun sup·per \ ˈsə-pər \

Definition of supper for Students

1 : the evening meal especially when dinner is eaten at midday
2 : refreshments served late in the evening especially at a social gathering

Learn More about supper

  1. See words that rhyme with supper Spanish Central: Translation of supper Nglish: Translation of supper for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of supper for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up supper? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

amortize

play

to pay off by making regular payments

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

supper

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games